Over 70% of Dutch People Familiar with the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme
A recent survey shows that 72% of the people in the Netherlands have heard of the Deposit Guarantee. With this, DNB has achieved the target set in 2019. Back then, awareness was much lower, at 58%.
© DNB
Target of 70% achieved
DNB has actively worked in recent years to increase awareness. The aim is clear: to let people know that their money at the bank is protected, which contributes to the prevention of bank runs. In April last year, DNB highlighted that awareness had been steadily increasing. At the end of 2025, DNB commissioned a new survey. The assessment showed that the recently updated media campaign effectively reached the Dutch public. This is a result of the use of media channels such as social media and podcasts. People appear well-informed that their money in a bank account is safe and that a statutory guarantee applies. Of all respondents, 75% also indicated they are aware that a maximum amount applies to this protection.
If your bank fails, your money is safe
The Dutch Deposit Guarantee is the statutory protection of money in bank accounts at Dutch banks, up to EUR 100,000 per person per bank. The amounts involved are substantial: at the end of September 2025, the total covered deposits amounted to EUR 637 billion. DNB administers the Dutch Deposit Guarantee on behalf of the government.
Ten years of improvements to the Dutch Deposit Guarantee
During the DGS Seminar in October 2025, DNB and the banks reflected on 10 years of implementing the revised European Directive on Deposit Guarantee Schemes (DGSD). Since the DGSD came into effect in 2015, DNB has worked with the banks to strengthen the Dutch Deposit Guarantee. The DGSD also requires that ex-ante funding should be available for the deposit guarantee. That is why DNB and the banks created the ex-ante Deposit Guarantee Fund, to which all banks in the Netherlands have contributed.
In addition, the payout period was gradually shortened to seven working days in 2024. This is only achievable if banks maintain accurate customer data, so they can provide the required information as quickly as possible in the event of failure. Because Dutch banks also operate in other European countries, DNB has worked in recent years to establish strong cooperation with other European DGS authorities. This includes regularly organizing (cross-border) crisis simulations. The figure below outlines the most important milestones of recent years.
Looking ahead
In the coming years, DNB is committed to maintain a high level of public awareness of the Dutch Deposit Guarantee. In doing so, we contribute to greater financial stability in the Netherlands.
In Brussels, work is currently underway to revise the regulation for resolving banks in distress, the Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance framework (CMDI). The European Commission launched this revision in 2023. One of its main goals being better protection for depositors. This also includes improving the information that banks and DGS authorities provide to depositors. In June 2025, a political agreement was reached in Brussels, and the final texts are now being drafted. In the coming years, DNB, together with the Ministry of Finance, will work on implementing the revised regulatory framework.
More information
All information for the sector regarding public awareness, such as the toolkit for banks, can be found at Public awareness of the Dutch Deposit Guarantee | De Nederlandsche Bank. Information for consumers can be found at Dutch deposit guarantee | De Nederlandsche Bank.